ARD to hold forum with Sen. Udall advisor on obtaining fire-fighter aircraft for the area on Aug. 1

By Tom Gootz

Special to the Trail-Gazette

Posted:
07/22/2013 01:49:42 PM MDT

A public forum, held by federal and local officials, including Jill Ozarski, senior natural resource advisor for Sen. Mark Udall, will be held Thursday, Aug. 1, at 6:30 p.m. at the town hall meeting rooms, 201-202. The subject will be: How is the federal government helping to procure additional forest fire aircraft for Colorado?

We are all keenly aware of the increased threat that severe forest fires pose to Colorado. As citizens of northern Colorado, we have witnessed forest fires over the past year in Estes Park, as well as Rocky Mountain National Park. These fires start out as small burns, but within 24 hours they can grow to massive fires that are difficult to put out. Such fires compromise our safety, as well as our homes and possessions.

Given the number and severity of these fires, aircraft equipped to limit their spread are often not immediately available. It would be highly desirable to procure additional, more modern fire-fighting aircraft to fight fires in Colorado, before they become massive. Most of the fire-retardant aircraft used to limit the spread of severe fires date back to the Korean War. In addition, most Western states, including Colorado, are experiencing changes to a warmer, drier climate that promote the rapid spread of severe forest fires.

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As citizens of northern Colorado, we are interested in learning what is being done at the federal level to procure the additional aircraft that are needed to fight these threatening fires. Our elected representatives, senators Mark Udall and Michael Bennet. have introduced important legislation to enable the U.S. Forest Service to lease additional aircraft that would greatly help fight Western wildfires. Important legislation aimed at providing aid to fire-stricken areas is also being considered.

On Aug. 1, representatives from these congressmen, as well as state and local officials, will be on hand to provide a specific update on the progress of acquiring these essential forest fire-fighting resources. The forum will be led by Ozarski, senior natural resource advisor from Sen. Udall's Denver office. Representatives from key federal agencies have also been invited to participate. All citizens of Estes Park are invited to attend this public forum, to find out the latest efforts made to get us this essential help.